Ridge gap blocker



United States- Patent O REESE GAP BLOCKER Burch l). Robbins, Union City, Calif. (5312 Maui Way, Fair (lake, Caiif.) Filed Feb. 25, 1%3, Ser. No. 260,494 7 illairns. (Cl. 172-=-234} This'invention relates to devices for filling or blocking gaps in earthen mounds or ridges with deposits of additional earth, and is particularly directed to a blocker of this character which, while being of a simple, rugged construction, is operable to block ridge gaps in a fully automatic fashion.

In connection with various irrigation practices as employed in orchards and elsewhere, shallow dikes or ridges of earth ar formed about the trees or the like to provide basins which may be filled with irrigation water. Usually this is accomplished with the aid of a device known as a ridger which is provided with spaced earth engaging elements operable during movement of the ridger to scrape quantities of earth toward the median line thereof so as to form a continuous earthen ridge extending between the paths of the elements. The ridger is first moved to form a number of parallel cross ridges and is then moved through the crossridges to form a number of parallel I ridges transversely thereof. The crossridges and transverse ridges define a number of substantially rectangular basins. However, it will be appreciated that during the formation of the transverse ridges the earth engaging members of the ridger scrape gaps from the crossridges as the elements are moved therethrough. These gaps must of course be filled or blocked if the basins are to be capable of holding Water.

To facilitate filling of the ridge gaps, devices known as blockers are frequently utilized to move quantities of earth to the gaps and to release the earth thereto, thereby restoring the original ridge construction. Although release of the earth may be effected by manually controlled means, successful filling of the gaps under these circumstance depends to a large extent upon the skill and judgment of the operator in releasiing the earth to the gaps at precisely the proper instant. Moreover, where a large number of gaps need to be blocked, manual control of the blockers becomes an extremely tedious operation. It is accordingly desirable that the blockers be automatically actuated to deposit earth in the gaps. However, previous schemes for the automatic control of blockers have involved relatively complex tripping linkages in operative association with the blockers to automatically release the earth when gaps are encountered. It is apparently by virtue of the prohibitive manufacturing costs attending these tripping linkages of previous automatically actuated blocking devices and the susceptibility to breakage of the large number of moving parts involved that the use of such devices has not been widespread.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatically actuated gap blocking device of relatively simple, low cost construction involving few moving parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic blocking device wherein a scraper or equivalent blocking element and an earth contour following element, such as a wheel, are associated for lifting in unison in passing over a cross ridge to thereby release earth from the blocking element to a gap in the ridge.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a blocking device of the class described which is adapted to hitching to the drawbar of any commercially available draft vehicle in the presence or absence of a ridger.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an automatically actuated blocking device having blocking 3, l 9fifi8 Patented Aug. lib, I965 elements each of which is of such a configuration and angular disposition as to provide an inherent bite effective in collecting earth without requirement of substantial weight acting thereon.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a blocking device of the class described wherein the contour following elements are appropriately linked to the blocking elements to insure reliable release of earth to the gaps as a ridge is traversed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a blocking device of the class described having contour following Wheels which are arranged for increased traction in traversing a cross ridge Without substantial smashing of same.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, withthe foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention asset forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a blocking device in accordance with the present invention as employed in operative association with a tractor and ridger ,to automatically fill gaps in cross ridges made by the ridger during formation of transverse ridges.

, FIGURE 2 is a partial plan view of the blocking device of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing FIGURE 1 in particular, a blocking device in accordance with the present invention is designated at 11 and such device is adapted for ready hitching to the drawbar 12 of a tractor 13 or other suitable draft vehicle. The blocking device functions to automatically fill or block with earth, gaps 14 which are cut into cross ridges 16 by the discs of a ridger in traversing the cross ridges during formation of transverse ridges. Although the blocking device 11 may be separately employed to block ridge gaps made by a separate ridger, it is more preferable that the blocking device be employed in conjunction with a ridger l7 pulled by the same tractor 13, as depicted in the drawings. The blocking device then blocks the gaps substantially immediately after they are cut by the discs 18 of ridger 17, all in one pass of the tractor.

Basically, the blocking device 1-1 includes a pair of like blocker assemblies 19 whichare mounted for free pivotal movement about a transverse axis upon a support frame 22 mounted on the draw bar 12 of the tractor. Each of the blocker assemblies 19 includes a scraper 23, or equivalent blocker, which extends downwardly into engagement with the ground to scrape up deposits of earth as the blocking device is pulled by the tractor. The scrapers of the respective assemblies 19, moreover, are positioned to be substantially in longitudinal alignment with the sets of discs 18 of the ridger '17. Thus the scrapers essentially ride in the troughs cut by the ridger discs in forming a ridge. The deposits of earth scraped by the scrapers would hence normally be pushed through the gaps 14 cut in a cross ridge due to its traversal by the ridger discs. However, the blocker assemblies 19 each includes an earth contour following element, preferably a wheel 24, which is operably associated with the scraper 2,3 .to effect lifting of same out of engagement with the earth when the contour following element encounters a ridge. Thus, as the scraper is lifted in response to the wheel 24 encountering a cross ridge, the accumulation of earth urged by the scraper is deposited in the gap in the ridge as depicted in phantom line in FIGURE 1.

As was previously noted, "blocking devices which produce the general automatic gap blocking function just described have existed heretofore. However, in such prior devices, the contour following elements and scrapers or other blocking elements have been operably associated through relatively complex linkages involving numerous moving parts. The linkages are therefore quite susceptible to damage. It is particularly important to note that the blocking device 1 1 of the present invention is unlike such prior devices in that the contour following elements and scrapers are provided in integral association through a very simple linkage. lowing elements and integrally linked scrape-rs is so arranged that the contour following element effects direct lifting of the scraper. An extremely simple design involving few moving parts is hence attained.

' More particularly in the blocker assemblies 19, the respective scrapers '23 and wheels 24 are coupled through a lifting linkage 25 which, upon upward pivoting of the wheel in traversing a ridge, effects a correlated directly lifted upward pivotal movement of the scraper. It should also be noted that the linkage 25 is preferably arranged to provide for upward pivoting of the scraper at a rate which is somewhat faster than that at which the wheel is pivoted. As a result, dumping of earth accumulated in the scraper is initiated at the proper time to fill the gap without overshoot. It will be appreciated in this regard that if the scraper were not raised sufliciently fast during the initial stages of wheel movement up a ridge, the major portion of the earth would tend to be dumped forwardly of the center of the gap and thus would not be effective in blocking same. In the preferred construction of the linkages 25 to the foregoing end, each linkage includes .a scraper pivot frame 26 pivotally secured to the suppont frame 22. The pivot frame advantageously comprises a pair of transversely spaced pivot arms 27 respectively secured at one end to opposite sides of the scraper 23. The opposite ends of the arms are provided with bushings =23 concentrically rotatable upon a cylindrical cross member -29 of the support frame. There is also provided as an element of the linkage 25, a Wheel pivot arm 30 of bowed configuration including a substantially horizontal portion '31 and an inclined portion 32 downwardly turned therefrom. The wheel 24 is journalle-d at the endof inclined portion '32 of pivot 30 while the end of the horizontal portion 31 thereof is provided with a bushing 33. Such bushing is concentrically rotatably disposed upon a cylindrical cross member 34 of the support frame which overlies cross member 29. The linkage 25 is completed by a cross link 35 having its opposite ends respectively pivotally connected to the horizontal portion 31 of Wheel pivot arm 30 and the adjacent pivot arm 27 of the scraper pivot frame 26. In this regard it is of importance to note that the distance bet-ween the connection point of link 35 to the Wheel pivot arm 30 and its pivot axis at cross member 34- is greater than the distance between the connection point of link 35 to the scraper pivot arm 27 and its pivot axis at cross member 29. In other words, the link 35 is connected to pivot arm 27 at shorter pivot radius than that at which the link is connected to pivot arm 30. Accordingly, as the wheel 24- traverses a ridge and the arm 30 is raised, the link 35 directly lifts the pivot arm 27. However, the lower end of the link 35 moves through a greater angular distance with respect to the cross member 29 than the upper end of the link moves with respect to cross member 34 by virtue of the previously noted different pivot radii thereof. Correspondingly the angular velocity of arm 27 is greater than that of arm 30 and the scraper is thus lifted at a greater rate than the wheel. The relative lift rates can of course be readily varied by varying the pivot radii of the opposite end of the link 35.

Considering now several important features which may be advantageously incorporated in the invention, the scrapers 23 are preferably arranged to have an inherent bite in engaging the ground surface. With such a bite,

Each set of contour fol-' the scrapers collect earth without requirement of substantial weight to force the scraper to penetrate the ground surface. More panticularly, the scrapers are pref erably each defined by an arcuate backing plate 36 downwardly and forwardly curved from the pivot arms 27 such that its leading, scraping edge is angled with respect to the ground surface. Side wings 37 are provided at the outer side edges of the plates 35 to project forwardly therefrom. The inner side edges of the plates 36 are angled between relatively narrow lower scraping edges and wide upper edges thereof. The side wings 37 serve to accumulate large deposits of earth as the earth is loosened and scooped upwardly by the scraping edges of the backing plates.

As a further feature of the present invention, the wheel 24 of each blocking assembly 1? is positioned to be transversely outwardly spaced from the ridger discs 18 by a substantial distance. As a result the wheels pass over a cross ridge at positions which. are spaced substantial distances from the gaps. The unreliability in release of earth to the gaps which occurs'due to the Wheels passing over a lesser than average height of ridge such as exists immediately adjacent the gaps is hence prevented. Moreover, the wheels are preferably provided with cleats 38 extending transversedly across the rim of the wheel at circumferentially spaced positions thereof. The cleats increase the traction of the wheel in traversing a ridge such that a minimum of slippage results and negligible smashing of the ridge occurs.

It will also be appreciated that the scrapers 23 would normally tend to pivot downwardly into ditches and the like over which the blocker device is towed. Accordingly, the scrapers would engage the ditch walls and produce a drag against forward movement of the equipment. T o obviate the foregoing, stop means may be employed on the cross member 29 to limit downward pivoting of the pivot frames 26, and accordingly the scrapers. Such stop means may for example comprise brackets 39 rigidly projecting from the cross member 29 adjacent the bushings 2S, and pins 41 rigidly projecting from the bushings parallel to the cross member so as to be engageable with the brackets. Downward pivoting of the frames 26, and therefore the scrapers 23, is thus limited by the pins 41 engaging the brackets 39 to prevent the scrapers from engaging ditch walls or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A ridge gap blocking device comprising a support frame adapted for towing by a draft vehicle, a pair of lift elements pivotally secured to said support frame for independent movcment about a transverse axis, a pair of wheels respectively journalled at the free ends of said elements, a second pair of lift elements pivotally secured to said support frame for independent movement about a transverse axis, a pair of scrapers secured at the free ends of said second elements in inwardly spaced relation to said wheels, said scrapers depending from said elements into engagement with a ground surface upon which said wheels are supported, and a cross link pivotally secured at its opposite ends to adjacent ones of said first and second lift elements.

2. A ridge gap blocking device comprising a support frame adapted for securance to a draft vehicle in followmg relation thereto, first and second transversely spaced lift members pivotally secured to said frame, a pair of wheels respectively journalled at the free ends of said first and second lift members, third and fourth transversely spaced lift member pivotally secured to said frame at points underlying the pivot points of said first and second lift members, a pair of scrapers depending from the free ends of said third and fourth lift members into engagement with a ground surface upon which said wheels are supported, and a pair of cross links respectively pivotally connected at their opposite ends to said first and third and second and fourth lift elements.

3. A ridge gap blocking device according to claim 2,

further defined by said cross links connected to said first and second lift elements at positions spaced from their pivot points a greater distance than the distance between the pivot points of said third and fourth lift elements and positions thereof at which said cross links are connected.

4. A ridge gap blocking device according to claim 3, further defined by said scrapers each including a downwardly and forwardly curved backing plate with a side wing projecting forwardly from the outer side edges there of.

5. A ridge gap blocking device according to claim 3, further defined by said wheels each having a plurality of circumferentially spaced cleats transversely across the rim thereof.

6. A ridge gap blocking device comprising a support frame adapted for securance to a draft vehicle in following relation thereto, and a pair of transversely spaced blocking assemblies secured to said frame; each assembly including a pair of transversely spaced scraper lift arms pivotally connected to one end to said frame for movement about a first transverse axis, a scraper secured between the free ends of said lift arms and depending therefrom for engagement with a ground surface, a bowed wheel lift arm having a substantially horizontal portion and a slanted portion downwardly curved therefrom, the free end of said horizontal portion pivotally connected to said frame for movement about a second transverse axis overlying said first transverse axis, a wheel journalled for rotation at the free end of said slated portion of said wheel lift arm, and a cross link pivotally secured at its opposite ends respectively to one of said scraper lift arms and to the horizontal portion of said Wheel lift arm at first and second positions thereof displaced from said first and second transverse axes.

'7. A ridge gap blocking device according to claim 6, further defined by the displacement of said first position from said first transverse axis being greater than the displacement of said second position from said second transverse axis.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 907,013 12/08 Deane 172234 1,019,740 3/12 Ropp 1721 X 2,249,807 7/41 Brown 172398 X 2,362,728 11/44 Smith 172-90 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,016,044 9/57 Germany.

520,484 4/40 Great Britain.

T. GRAHAM CRAVER, Primary Examiner.

CARL W. ROBINSON, ABRAHAM G. STONE,

Examiners. 

1. A RIDGE GAP BLOCKING DEVICE COMPRISING A SUPPORT FRAME ADAPTED FOR TOWING BY A DRAFT VEHICLE, A PAIR OF LIFT ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID SUPPOT FRAME FOR INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT ABOUT A TRANSVERSE AXIS, A PAIR OF WHEELS RESPECTIVELY JOURNALLED AT THE FREE ENDS OF SAID ELEMENTS, A SECOND PAIR OF LIFT ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT FRAME FOR INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT ABOUT A TRANSVERSE AXIS, A PAIR OF SCRAPERS SECURED AT THE FREE ENDS OF SAID SECOND ELEMENTS IN INWARDLY SPACED RELATION TO SAID WHEELS, SAID SCRAPERS DEPENDING FROM SAID ELEMENTS INTO ENGAGMENET WITH A GROUND SURFACE UPON WHICH SAID WHEELS ARE SUPPORTED, AND A CROSS LINK PIVOTALLLY SECURED AT ITS OPPOSITE ENDS TO ADJACENT ONES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND LIFT ELEMENTS. 